NPLD Site Managers Guide

Your resource for planning and executing a successful National Public Lands Day Event

How to Use This guide

The National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF) developed this guide to help new and returning site managers in plan and execute successful in-person National Public Lands Day (NPLD) events. It's packed with tools, templates, worksheets, and best practices that have been collected over the years from experienced NPLD site managers. Whether this is your first or your 30th NPLD, we hope this guide helps you get the most out of your National Public Lands Day celebration.

group of volunteers on National Public Lands Day stand for a group photo outside
NPLD OVERVIEW

How did National Public Lands Day start? What is NEEF's involvement with NPLD? What other organizations make this event possible? This section provides a brief overview of NPLD.
a national park employee welcomes volunteers during a national public lands day events
Promoting

Volunteers are vital for a successful NPLD event. This section provides tools for recruitment, promotion, and registration on NPLD Map.
two female forest service employees work together on a computer
Planning

Plan well for NPLD success. This section helps site managers with an action plan for site selection, permits, budget, and team.
two young women sit at a NPLD event welcome table filled with National Public Lands Day tshrits
HOSTING

On NPLD, site managers need smooth logistics. This section has event-day details, from agenda to weather plan, and risk management.
a diverse group of community leaders stand together smiling on National Public Lands Day
Engaging

Involving local partners is crucial to NPLD success. This section suggests ways to engage the community and partners in planning.
a national park ranger speaks at a podium during a national public lands day event
WRAP-UP

This section guides you through three key post-event activities: partner follow-up, volunteer thanks, and NEEF survey submission.

More NPLD Guides & Templates

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Webinar

Innovative, Low-cost Ways to Maximize Your NPLD Event

Join an engaging webinar with tips and tricks that will multiply your resources for hosting a National Public Land Day event.

July 29, 2025 at 3:00pm
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Two national public lands day volunteers stand near a NPLD banner that say Thank You Volunteers
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NPLD Promotional Toolkit

We help you spread the word to draw in volunteers of all ages from your community and engage your local media.

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NPLD Certificate of Appreciation for Volunteers

NPLD Volunteer certificates are an affordable way for organizations to recognize the valuable contributions of...

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NPLD Budget Template

Budgeting is an integral part of the NPLD event planning process. Your budget should directly reflect...

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Guide to Indigenous Land Acknowledgement for Events

Part of the Nature for All webinar series, this webinar with the USDAC focuses on the history and practice of...

More NPLD Resources